This paper examines factors determining farmers‘ adoption decision for improved maize varieties in the maize-common bean intercropping practices in two districts of East Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. It is based on data collected from 129 farm households using structured questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that adopters of improved maize varieties had better food and nutrition security status. Furthermore, logit model output indicated that the decision to adopt improved maize varieties is influenced by location (district) dummy, education status of the household head, age of the household head, distance from the main road, and the number of plots owned. Major recommendations include improving the rural road infrastructure, educating and training farmers, organizing experience sharing events among farmers, and raising awareness about the food and nutrition security benefits of sustainable agricultural intensification practices like intercropping improved maize with improved common bean varieties.

This study aimed to investigate appropriate seed rates for legume-turnip intercrops under different harvest stages. Turnip (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa) was sown with common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz) and pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L. Poir) in 2014 with four different combinations (100% legume, 75% legume + 25% turnip, 50% legume + 50% turnip, 100% turnip) and catted in two different times when the beginning and end of the flowering of turnip. The study was conducted in Yozgat-Turkey with three replicates. Hay yield, protein yield, ADF, NDF, Ca, Mg, P, K, Land Equivalent Ratio, Competitive Ratio and Aggressivity characteristics were determined in view of the combinations. The results of this study, 50%HV + 50%T and sole pea harvested turnip was at the beginning of flowering stage were the best treatments. On the other hand, when harvest was done at end of the flowering of turnip 50%P + 50%T, 75%P + 25%T and 50%HV + 50%T intercropping were the high yielding treatment.